Ants at 3x (six images)

Dalantech

I set up the studio for another round of shooting ants :wink

Camera and lens: Canon Xti (manual mode f8, 1/200. ISO 100) + Tamron 2x teleconverter + extension tubes (25mm and 37mm) + Canon 100mm macro lens. Magnification is between 2.8 and 3.3 times life size.

Lighting: MR-14 EX set to a 4:1 ratio and -1/3 FEC. I set the MR-14's ratio control for a third channel and setup a 430EX flash with a Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer that had a gold reflector insert (to make the light "warm"). I set the 430EX to -2/3 FEC via the MR-14 and positioned it so that the bouncer was directly over the "studio".

Maybe this is a post for the technique section...













C&C always welcome :cool

Lord Vetinari

Excellent series- better detail than previous high mag shots.
brian V.

Dalantech

Lord Vetinari wrote:

Excellent series- better detail than previous high mag shots.
brian V.

Thanks Brian! F8 this time instead of F11. I think my limit with my current gear is 2.8x at F8 -anything higher and diffraction takes my lunch money

soupdragon

These are very good.
Have you considered the MPE 65?
I am looking at the moment but unsure if the investment is worth it.

Dalantech

soupdragon wrote:

These are very good.
Have you considered the MPE 65?
I am looking at the moment but unsure if the investment is worth it.

I've thought about it, but I need to pick up a few other things. Right now I can't decide if I want to get a good telephoto lens and add diopters and tubes to it (for insects like butterflies) or if I want Canon's 180mm L macro. If Canon really loved me they'd come out with another L macro between 100 and 150mm, or a redesigned lens in the 180 to 200mm range.

Skippy

Dalantech wrote:

I set up the studio for another round of shooting ants

Camera and lens: Canon Xti (manual mode f8, 1/200. ISO 100) + Tamron 2x teleconverter + extension tubes (25mm and 37mm) + Canon 100mm macro lens. Magnification is between 2.8 and 3.3 times life size.
Lighting: MR-14 EX set to a 4:1 ratio and -1/3 FEC. I set the MR-14's ratio control for a third channel and setup a 430EX flash with a Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer that had a gold reflector insert (to make the light "warm"). I set the 430EX to -2/3 FEC via the MR-14 and positioned it so that the bouncer was directly over the "studio".
Maybe this is a post for the technique section...
C&C always welcome :cool

Wow your really booming along with your MACRO's aren't you
Are these leaf cutter ants? thats what it looks like they're doing.
You'd be pretty darn pleased with yourself with this lot Dalantech :ivar .
Excellent series .... Skippy
.

soupdragon

Dalantech wrote:

I've thought about it, but I need to pick up a few other things. Right now I can't decide if I want to get a good telephoto lens and add diopters and tubes to it (for insects like butterflies) or if I want Canon's 180mm L macro. If Canon really loved me they'd come out with another L macro between 100 and 150mm, or a redesigned lens in the 180 to 200mm range.

I'd love the 180L too.

Dalantech

Skippy wrote:

Wow your really booming along with your MACRO's aren't you
Are these leaf cutter ants? thats what it looks like they're doing.
You'd be pretty darn pleased with yourself with this lot Dalantech :ivar .
Excellent series .... Skippy
.

Actually they are eating sugar -I cheat http://nocroppingzone.blogspot.com/2007/04/studio-macro.html

Someone said they are carpenter ants -beats me since I haven't had time to research it. They are HUGE compared to the other 20 odd species I've seen around here. Easily 12mm long when full grown.

Thanks for the props Skippy! I am VERY happy with the way these turned out especially since it was my second time shooting around 3x and the first time I've used an MR-14 to control a 430EX for a critter shoot. The MR-14 didn't have to pump out a lot of light with the 430 in tandem, so the reflections were actually less intense...

Dalantech

soupdragon wrote:

I'd love the 180L too.

But the price tag... *sigh*

ShepsMom

This ant almost look plastic, great shot as always!

Dalantech

ShepsMom wrote:

This ant almost look plastic, great shot as always!

*Gasp!* She's discovered my secret!

Thanks for the props! :cool

To be honest it's some of the easiest insect macro to do because they aren't moving (much) and I'm sitting in a chair shooting them. Taking photos of critters "in the field" is a lot more challenging...

I have that "how to" that you wanted, but I want to wait until after the current LPS #4 contest is finished before making a post here about it (I entered the image in the contest).

ShepsMom

Geeee!! I knew you were up to something.... Let's have a "Guess the Trick' Post, shall we????
Is there any hairspray involved? I better stock up! rofl

Dalantech

ShepsMom wrote:

Geeee!! I knew you were up to something.... Let's have a "Guess the Trick' Post, shall we????
Is there any hairspray involved? I better stock up! rofl

Uh, nope. Not for the photo in question... I'll post it tomorrow morning early since the contest will be over by then.